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The protesters have vowed to defend Independence Square, the focal point of the demonstrations

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Police have begun dismantling some of the barricades near government buildings

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Makeshift kitchens have been helping to feed the protesters

Demonstrators are now putting up additional barricades on the square.

"We call on people to stand their ground, and peacefully, without using force or aggression, to defend their right to live in a free country," said heavyweight boxing champion Vitaly Klitschko, who has emerged as one of the leaders of the protests, quoted by Reuters news agency.

"We are expecting the break-up by police of peaceful demonstrators. If blood is spilled during this dispersing, this blood will be on the hands of the person who ordered it: ...[President Viktor] Yanukovych."